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Monday, June 29, 2015

If "home is where the heart is" then home for me is (and always will be) the country where I grew up, where the majority of my family lives, and where I have "visited" four times already this year. My trip home was orchestrated for numerous reasons, one of which was to celebrate my mom's birthday. And it came at the perfect time because I needed a break from my day-to-day routine. My favorite thing about my first day back home was being able to read a good novel...

Thursday, June 25, 2015

I'm in the middle of a love-hate relationship with Summer running. I love that I've been able to get my training runs in. But I hate that I have to run in such humid weather...

Since Saturday's LR I've been battling sore muscles and blisters, so I took three consecutive rest days (Sun-Tues) and didn't run again until Wednesday. That run was a struggle because (despite the rest days) my muscles still felt stiff. I decided to only do a 5K run (with intervals)...

In hindsight I really should have gone for a walk on Monday evening to help loosen up my muscles and prepare for this running week. Although having three rest days felt great (and I've been diligent with my foam rolling and stretching) I think I would have benefited from something like walking or swimming.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Although I'm still on Cloud 9 (yes, still) after completing my 16 mile run on Saturday, the strategic planning has already started for my 18 mile LR in two weeks. I figure I might as well start the mental training from now...

I spent most of yesterday trying to walk like a normal person and then I took my daughter & niece to see the new movie "Inside Out"...

Saturday, June 20, 2015

I was finally able to conquer my 16 mile training run this morning!!! I'm excited (can you tell?) because this was my third attempt at doing this distance. Thefirst time I was only able to complete 11.5 miles. The second timeI had to split my long run into a 10K & 10mile run between Saturday and Sunday (respectively). But today I DID IT!!!!!! 16 miles done and, although my entire body hurts and my feet hate me, I am really proud of myself...

I started the run early this morning because I wanted to avoid running in the sun as much as possible. And I was also trying to avoid as much humidity as possible...

The challenge with starting really early is safety. As a female runner (who is also afraid of the dark...and yes that is still possible...and no I don't go to therapy for that) safety is a big priority for me. I have different apps that I can use to alert family if I don't return home by a certain time, but I've watched enough crime shows to know that my body would already be chopped up and dumped somewhere by then.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

I'm still enjoying the benefits of my new "refillable glass" outlook. And this morning I started off the day with a very full glass because I had such a great run! It was one of those "forget all your worries" types of runs.
I did a 1/2 mile warm up walk...

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

I had to see my dentist yesterday. Worst. Monday. Ever. My molars are misbehaving and have decided to deviate from the traditional vertical growth path. And while they should probably be commended for their self confident expression of uniqueness, they are causing a problem for my other teeth...

Monday was a rest day, which is typical for me after a weekend of long(ish) runs. I always have these grand plans to do yoga on Mondays, but recently that hasn't really been happening. Plus after my dentist appointment I didn't want to do much. I'm not a big fan of going to the Dentist (is anyone?), but after seeing the estimate for my treatment plan I realized that I probably should have become a Dentist ($$$$$). Oh well.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

When I started running two years ago I started a new chapter in my life. A "new era" dawned and I became more aware of, and more in tune with, a better version of myself. Possibly the best version of myself. Each training cycle since I began running has been filled with new discoveries. And often a rediscovery of old passions and a highlight of potential new endeavors. I've travelled more. I've saved more (to fund the whole traveling more thing). I've suffered more also... the pain of injury and the pain of disappointment. But the ups and downs are part of the process, and despite the "down" periods, I'm still drawn to each new era of my running journey.

My training for the Chicago Marathon is one such era. It's been quite the roller coaster ride so far. Achieving one accomplishment only to be sidelined with pain and injury (thereby inhibiting the next goal/milestone/success). The past 6 weeks since I started my "official" marathon training have been like that. Of course, starting training in be Summer is never ideal. But when you train for a Fall marathon you really don't have a choice. I know I have a longer training plan than most people do (I built in extra weeks in case I needed more recovery time) but I still feel like I'm running out of time. I feel like I should be more prepared and comfortable with certain distances than I currently am. I feel like October is going to be here quickly and before I know it I will be toeing the starting line without the mental and physical preparation that I intended to achieve when I started this year; this training cycle; this era.

There are multiple ways to approach marathon training but only one will get you to the finish line successfully. You have to be adamant, stubborn even, in your position that you are going to succeed (no matter what), and that should be the only mindset that you are open to.

What will vary for all of us is the definition of "success"

What success is for me...
1. Being the best version of myself
2. Enjoying and celebrating all the things I'm able to accomplish (no matter how small)
3. Staying determined and focused throughout my training (no matter what)

I know that over time the things I battle with or struggle with will get better. Today I was updating a friend on my current training plan and lamenting about not being able to finish my 16 mile run on Sunday. I was reminded that there was a time when 11 miles was the goal. There was a time when I couldn't even fathom completing that distance. Now 11 miles is a "DNF" long run for me!

In any event there multiple mindsets regarding training (and life); you just have to choose the one that will bring the definition of success that you desire.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

It's been a busy couple of days filled with lots of good news and some bad news. Well maybe not bad news... more like "I have a super long to-do list now" news. I started (what I enthusiastically call) my "New Beginnings" to-do list on Friday and spent most of Saturday adding things to the list as they came up...

The thing about to-do lists is that they can become overwhelming if you focus on ALL the things you have to get done. So in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed I've just been focusing on one thing at a time...

Friday, June 5, 2015

This morning's run was such a struggle for me. And I struggled through it until I finally decided that the run was not going to get any better. At some point you have to make the decision to stop. Even when you start with the best intentions, sometimes running sucks.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

I've been eagerly anticipating this day because it (naturally) meant today was going to be a running day! And even though I only missed one run because of my ankles the reality is that I MISSED RUNNING! And that always makes me a little sad. But all that sadness ended today :)

There are 9 things that I am excited about today. Choosing to share 9 things probably seems out of character for me since nine is such an odd number. But (let me reassure you) there is logic behind the madness. Well "logic" as far as I'm concerned. So.... the number 9 is brought to you courtesy of the 6th month of the year and 3rd day of the month. I know you probably think it's corny, but I actually think it's cute (in a weird "I'm losing my grip on rational thought" kinda way).

~ Today being National Running Day is obviously one of the things that I am excited about. It's nice that we runners have a day to celebrate this amazing activity that we love so much. Someone commented on Facebook that we should celebrate running everyday. And although I tend to agree with that, the Law of Diminishing Returns highlights that a daily celebration would eventually lose its appeal. So we have to stick with the one day of national celebration and use it as an opportunity to bring the running community together (literally and figuratively). I loved scrolling through Instagram and Facebook and seeing posts from all the people who made the effort to run today. It was really awesome.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Nowadays I try not to over think my aches and pains. That's not true... I totally over think them. But sometimes I wonder if I went from one extreme (assuming the pain is not a big deal when it actually is (which is how I was last year)) to the other (assuming every ache and pain is an issue when it isn't). I guess in the grand scheme of things it's better to assume the worst and find out nothing is wrong, than to assume nothing is wrong and end up not being able to run for a long period of time...